IVW vs SPY
IVW vs SPY
iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. IVW delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | IVW | SPY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.09% | |
| AUM | $72.2B | $789.1B | |
| Dividend Yield | 0.36% | 1.01% | |
| Holdings | 152 | 505 | |
| YTD Return | +12.28% | +11.49% | |
| 1Y Return | +21.86% | +21.37% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.83% | +20.76% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.48% | +12.94% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.2% | 15.3% | |
| Max Drawdown | -72.1% | -56.5% | |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | State Street Investment Management | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | May 22, 2000 | Jan 22, 1993 |
IVW vs SPY Performance
iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF (IVW) is a ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year IVW returned +21.86% while SPY returned +21.37%. Year to date, IVW is up 12.28% versus a gain of 11.49% for SPY.
Over three years, IVW compounded at +25.83% per year against +20.76% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +13.48% and +12.94% respectively. Across the full 26-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +8.78% annualized vs +7.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.2% compared with 15.3% for SPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -72.1% for IVW and -56.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVW charges 0.18% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $9 annually, a gap of $9 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVW currently yields 0.36% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
IVW and SPY share 144 holdings out of 508 unique holdings combined, representing a 64.6% weight overlap.
High overlap means holding both may not provide much additional diversification.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IVW | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | 13.39% | 7.31% | 6.08% |
| AAPL | 6.49% | 7.09% | 0.60% |
| MSFT | 8.12% | 4.43% | 3.69% |
| GOOGL | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AVGO | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| GOOG | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AMZN | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| META | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| MU | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| LLY | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 10 holdings IVW shares with SPY Exact weights in each fund and the difference, for every overlapping position. Get FundXLS Pro: $29/moFirst 500 subscribers, then $49/mo. Cancel anytime. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IVW or SPY?
IVW has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $9 per year of difference.
Which performed better, IVW or SPY?
Over the past year IVW returned +21.86% vs +21.37% for SPY, so IVW leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (26 years), IVW annualized +7.76% vs +8.78% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, IVW or SPY?
IVW has been the more volatile fund at 16.2% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: IVW -72.1% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both IVW and SPY?
IVW and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, so they move almost identically. Holding both adds little diversification - most investors pick one, usually on fees or the specific index tracked.
What is the holdings overlap between IVW and SPY?
IVW and SPY share 144 common holdings with a 64.6% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 508 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVW or SPY?
IVW yields 0.36% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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